According to the Edmonton Journal, the Oilers have acquired goalie Ben Scrivens from the Los Angeles Kings, in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the upcoming 2014 NHL Draft. This transaction comes just hours after Edmonton traded current goaltender Devan Dubnyk to the Nashville Predators for the rights to forward Matt Hendricks.

Scrivens was just one of two goalies this season who impressed in wake of Jonathan Quick’s recent injury. In 19 games with the Kings, Scrivens posted a .931 save percentage and a 1.97 GAA. However, when Martin Jones began showing even more promise as a backup, Scrivens became expendable upon Quick’s return, accounting for why he is headed to Edmonton in exchange for a draft pick.

On the other hand, Dubnyk, who departs the Oilers in favor of the Predators, has posted an .894 save percentage this season. The Oilers have allowed three or more goals in each of their last nine contests, so one would think that Scrivens will see time in net before too long.

Both goalies are free agents at the end of the season, which makes the swap rather mind-boggling. The Oilers, essentially, give up a third-round pick in exchange for a slightly better goalie for a half a season. Of course, Edmonton could resign Scrivens and use him between the pipes for years to come, but it remains to be seen if Scrivens projects as a net minder who can be competent as a perennial starter, especially for a team with such a weak defensive core.

Scrivens also has a history with Oilers’ coach Dallas Eakins, whom the 27-year-old worked with during his time with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, which makes the possibility of a multi-year deal a realistic notion.

Matt Hendricks, moreover, has accumulated four points (2 G, 2 A) this season. The fourth-liner had been averaging 11:33 TOI/G with Nashville thus far into his 2013-14 campaign.

Hendricks, 32, along with Scrivens, are inherited by an Edmonton squad in serious need of a facelift.

First and first-mostly, editor-in-chief here at The Foul Language. Sports journalist from the 603 currently working with WEEI Radio covering the Boston Red Sox. Previous work includes covering the New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Arizona Coyotes, NCAA hockey, University of New Hampshire football, Harvard basketball and both Massachusetts and New Hampshire high school sports for publications including The Boston Globe, ESPN Radio, SB Nation (Five For Howling), Great Eastern Radio, The Suffolk Voice, among others.
Polluting the internet on Twitter @BigRickMorin and on Instagram @bigrick62. For more serious inquires, shoot me an email at ramorintfl@gmail.com. Suffolk University '17.